More than 100 Indianapolis-area vendors representing businesses owned by owned by women, veterans, recognized minorities, and people who are socially and economically disadvantaged are ready to join Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) for one of the nation’s largest current capital improvements projects centering on K–12 education.
Representatives of area companies packed the IPS Board of School Commissioners room May 15 for the IPS Rebuilding Stronger Pre-Construction Services Outreach event at the John Morton-Finney Center for Educational Services.
During the presentation, attendees learned about:
• Projects and contract opportunities for Rebuilding Stronger new construction and renovations.
• New contracting procedures.
• Project expectations.
• Next steps for engaging on Rebuilding Stronger projects.
William Murphy, IPS Chief Operations Officer, joined other members of the district’s leadership group to explain how area firms will have opportunities to partner with the district as it invests $410 million from the 2023 Capital Referendum approved by voters on May 2. The funds are earmarked to upgrade, renovate, and build improved educational facilities over the next eight years.
“We are a district that is ready and eager to work with everybody in the construction community and building professions,” he said. “You will be creating the preconditions for success for our students. We know that students must have safe, warm, and welcoming buildings in order to be academically successful. That is our goal for every facility in our district.”
Murphy believes Indianapolis has a collection of vendors representing locally-owned, XBE businesses. IPS aims to support historically disadvantaged businesses through networking and events like the Pre-Construction Services Outreach.
IPS prioritizes diversity in our procurement process and our commitment to diversity is documented in the policy established by the IPS Board of School Commissioners.
“Historically, when IPS has embarked on large-scale capital programs, XBE participation has exceeded our expectations,” Murphy told the vendor group. “With your help, we will continue this tradition and expect to see strong XBE participation in all team submissions.”
“We want to present to the construction community the opportunity to partner with IPS, allowing them to be part of this historic effort” he said. “We’ve been able to work through the IPS Chief Financial Officer’s team to really cast a wide net. We are being very purposeful in alerting XBE organizations.”
Vendors interested in doing business with the district should register on the Indigo K12 Procurement Portal. The district intends to notify registered vendors of opportunities by posting formal solicitations as well as accepting electronic bid responses in accordance with applicable state procurement laws utilizing this K12 community platform.
K12 will be the primary method of communication for potential vendors about current and upcoming solicitation opportunities. All general inquiries can be sent to purchasing@buywithindigo.com.